EPIPHYSEAL SEPARATION OF THE DISTAL END OF THE HUMERAL EPIPHYSIS - A FOLLOW-UP NOTE

Twenty-one children with fracture-separations of the distal end of the humeral epiphysis were treated. Fifteen of the 21 children developed cubitus varus deformity after treatment. Thirteen children were treate d at our hospital, and seven of these children developed cubitus varus deformity. Eight children were treated elsewhere initially and were r eferred to our institution after development of cubitus varus deformit y. Nine patients underwent osteotomies for correction of cubitus varus deformities. Ages at injury ranged from 1-10 years. Fourteen patients were <6 years of age. Fractures were classified according to Ogden; o ne was type IA, 16 were type IIA, and four were type IIC. Follow-up wa s from 10 months to 17 years. Most of the patients who were initially treated at our institution regained nearly normal function. Ah nine pa tients who were treated with closing wedge osteotomies regained nearly normal carrying angles. The carrying angles after treatment of the in jury and osteotomy for the deformity did not change except in one pati ent.